Category Uncategorized

Newcastle United have recently resumed full-contact training ahead of the Premier League’s return to action in a few weeks time.

Though two players haven’t been seen since the announcement, namely midfielder Jack Colback and right-back Jamie Sterry.

According to ChronicleLive, the duo are set to be released from the Magpies following the expiry of their contracts this summer with both players being told to not attend training.

And many supporters at St James’ Park are thrilled by the news…

There was even one shout from a fan who claimed that this decision was the best one Steve Bruce has made at the club since his appointment last summer.

Others suggested that the exits of Colback and Sterry would free up some wages that could potentially go to Matty Longstaff, who has been linked with a move away from the Magpies.

It’s claimed that Serie A side Udinese have offered the 20-year-old a £30k-per-week contract after the midfielder flew to Italy before lockdown for negotiations over a summer switch.

Cameo Clubs: Which obscure teams did these football legends play for?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

While Newcastle are said to have increased their offer to £20k-a-week, as per the Telegraph, in order to tempt the academy product into staying.

There were also plenty of supporters who took a swipe at Sterry. The 24-year-old broke into the first-team back in 2016 but has gone on to feature just eight times in the black and white stripes.

In fact, he’s played more times for his former loan clubs, Crewe Alexandra and Coventry City than he has United.

Evidently, plenty of the Magpies faithful won’t be too worried to see Colback and Sterry depart upon the expiry of their contracts, and if their takeover is given the all-clear, you can expect there to be many more that follow them out of the exit door as the new era begins at United.

AND in other news, Luke Edwards is “50/50” on Newcastle takeover going through…

It isn’t certain just how much the football market will be affected by current events and the ongoing hiatus clubs are subject to.

Whether seasons resume or not, managers will be trying to devise new strategies to still get their hands on the big-money signings they’re eyeing up this summer.

However, the reality may be that clubs are unable to spend big – or even at all – in the upcoming window and might need to utilise the options they have in their youth ranks.

Here’s a list of five young up-and-coming players that Everton should call upon if they can’t bring in new personnel…

Ellis Simms

One area Everton have been looking to strengthen in the summer is their attack. With an overhaul of forwards planned and links to the likes of Andrea Belotti (per Tuttosport via Sport Witness), Carlo Ancelotti has clearly been looking for some fresh personnel across his front three.

The only recognised wide players in the senior team are Bernard, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott. Aside from the Brazilian, they have disappointed this season with just four league goal contributions between them. But the club don’t have to spend big in order to ensure Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have support. Ellis Simms has impressed with his composure in front of goal, tallying eight goals for the U23s this term.

A fresh injection of pace from someone eager to make their mark on their club could be what the Blues need during tough games in which the opposition are swarming the attack.

If the season resumes and Everton finish inside the top six, Simms could provide vital support for the Blues as they return to Europe for the first time in five seasons.

Anthony Gordon

Another attacker the Toffees could utilise in the upcoming season. Anthony Gordon has not only accumulated seven goals and three assists this season but being a Merseyside local will make the winger even hungrier to represent his boyhood team.

The 19-year-old has even featured in the Premier League this season, coming on as a substitute against West Ham and Chelsea. On five other occasions, Gordon has been included in the squad on the bench, which means he has already experienced the high level of training with the first team.

Tom Davies broke his way into the senior squad in a similar manner but hasn’t really impressed on the big stages. Gordon will likely see this as a wake up call and grab any chance he is given with both hands so he can become a team sheet regular.

Alex Denny

Alex Denny is a young, versatile option that Ancelotti could really look to integrate into the senior squad next season. As well as struggling to find goals outside of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, Everton must sharpen up at the back. The Blues have conceded 46 goals this season and have a current goal difference of -9.

The 20-year-old primarily operates as a defensive midfielder but can also drop back and play as a centre-back. His ability to adapt could prove an important asset to any game – bringing him on as an extra body in defence or allowing him to drop forward and contribute to the attack.

Denny currently has one goal and two assists to his name, which are good numbers from deep in the midfield. Plus, he is proving more efficient than the likes of Davies and Morgan Schneiderlin, who operate in similar roles and have just one goal contribution between them this season.

Dennis Adeniran

Although his scoring ratio isn’t the highest this campaign, with two goals and two assists, Dennis Adeniran is extremely versatile and will help bolster Everton’s struggling engine room. Not only could the 21-year-old inject life into the midfield, but he could prove good cover in attack as well.

Across this season, Adeniran has played in seven different positions – occupying all three attacking roles as well as covering almost the entire midfield. It seems playing as a midfielder is his preferred role – scoring and assisting from the middle of the park. But he has also scored a goal from the right-wing position as well as bagging an assist in the No.9 role.

Although he hasn’t been in and around the first team, by training with the senior players Adeniran could take his career to the next level and focus on a role he can dominate on the pitch.

Lewis Dobbin

Everton have a lot of young, promising talent waiting in the wings to be called upon, only Lewis Dobbin actually is waiting in the wings. The 17-year-old attacker is a centre-forward by nature but has done incredibly well in the wide positions this season. Dobbin has scored 11 goals in the Toffees’ U18 side, assisting a further three for his teammates.

Across this campaign, the Stoke-born youngster has played across the entire front three as well as in an attacking midfield role. His versatility is something that could really give Everton a boost in future matches if they are looking to switch up play or kill the game off.

Dobbin has scored at least twice from each position he has played in this term, including a hat-trick from right-wing against Sunderland in February. His clinical nature and effortless ability to adapt is something Ancelotti should be monitoring very closely.

عبر وليد سليمان لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي عن سعادته بتتويج فريقه بلقب السوبر الأفريقي، موجهًا الشكر للجماهير على دعمها.

ونجح الأهلي في التتويج بلقب السوبر الإفريقي للمرة السابعة في تاريخه، وذلك على حساب نهضة بركان بهدفين سجلهما محمد شريف وصلاح محسن.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | الأهلي يبرز لحظة سجود الخطيب بعد التتويج بالسوبر الإفريقي

وقال وليد سليمان في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر فضائية “الأهلي”: “الذي يلعب في الأهلي يدفع ضريبة تحقيق البطولة والتفكير في البطولة التالية”.

وتابع: “أشكر جماهير الأهلي على دعمهم الكبير لي، اليوم هذه البطولة رقم 20 لي مع الأهلي وكأس السوبر الثالث لي”.

وعن لقطة اهداء الميداليات للخطيب رئيس النادي، قال: “نحن لا نعرف ماذا نفعل مع الخطيب، هو دائما معنا في السفر ويدعمنا، لن أقول إن هذا تكريم لأنه يستحق أكثر من ذلك، كنا نريد أن نفعل أكثر من ذلك ولكن هذا ما استطعنا فعله، وجميعا نحبه”.

واختتم: “شرف لي التواجد في الأهلي، وأحمد ربنا على ذلك، منذ صغري وأحلم بالتواجد في هذا الكيان وأكون جزءًا من تاريخ النادي، أشكر جميع زملائي على مدار مسيرتي وللجماهير”.

A total of 997 players have represented the England national team at least once over 999 matches in almost 150 years of English international football history, from that first match in Scotland in 1872 to the 100th against Montenegro later this week.

Some of them are legends and some are mere mortals.

Down the years we’ve seen humble local lads shine at Wembley alongside global football superstars and many of those in between.

We’ve seen star strikers bang in the goals with the three lions on their shirts, masters of clean sheets on the international stage and midfield maestros.

We’ve seen pioneers on and off the field, men that have lifted a FIFA World Cup for England and plenty that have come so close to glory.

But who will make it into our list of the top 15 stars to have ever worn the Three Lions shirt?

15. Sir Geoff Hurst

Copyright: MirrorPix

Coming in at 15 is the only ever player to have scored a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final, bringing Sir Alf Ramsey’s team victory over West Germany in 1966, Sir Geoff Hurst.

The former West Ham United man would earn his place on our list for that achievement alone, it’s just a bonus that he recorded a further 48 appearances and 21 goals with the three lions on his chest.

14. Michael Owen

Copyright: MirrorPix

From one lethal England goalscorer to another and ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United hitman Michael Owen, holder of 89 caps and 40 goals for his nation.

The striker’s international record places him in fourth in the list of the Three Lions’ top goalscorers behind only Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton, leader Wayne Rooney and our next legendary England man.

13. Gary Lineker

Copyright: MirrorPix

No countdown of England’s top 15 players of all time would be complete without the Three Lions’ highest scorer in major tournaments, Gary Lineker.

The English football icon, who ranks third on the overall goals list, has 10 in World Cups and UEFA European Championships and is also in possession of the Golden Boot from Mexico ’86 – nowadays he’s a regular on the television screens of the nation, mostly on Match of the Day.

12. John Barnes

Copyright: MirrorPix

Midfield dynamo John Barnes was in every sense an England pioneer both on and off the pitch, overcoming the horrid racist abuse of his time to become the Three Lions’ highest cap holding black player before being surpassed by Ashley Cole.

Barnes was famous for his fearsome shots and free-kicks and Italia ’90 rap, racking up close to a century of appearances and going to four major tournaments, a true English football legend.

11. Paul Scholes

Copyright: MirrorPix

The man known as the best midfielder of his generation by Pep Guardiola and “the phenomenon” by Brazilian Ronaldo, Man United icon Paul Scholes narrowly misses out on a place in the top ten.

There can be little doubt that the footballing genius should have been capped more than 66 times for his country and should have been the man to lead the Three Lions to that elusive second major tournament triumph but a number of factors prevented that from ever happening.

10. Ashley Cole

Copyright: MirrorPix

For any outfield player, especially an all-action full-back, to rack up an incredible 107 caps for his nation is a ridiculous achievement.

Only Bobby Moore, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Peter Shilton have more as Ashley Cole was the mainstay of his country’s left-back position for a remarkable 13 years – the only thing that will perhaps bug him about his international career is that he never scored for England despite notching 19 times domestically.

9. Gordon Banks

Copyright: MirrorPix

The goalkeeper for English sport’s finest hour at Wembley in 1966, the late great Gordon Banks is often considered his nation’s best ever goalkeeper.

True, he did pull off probably the greatest save in the history of the game from a powerful Pele header at the 1970 World Cup but he also started between the sticks on the international stage 23 times and remained the optimisation of a humble, nice guy right up until his sad death in early 2019.

8. David Beckham

Copyright: MirrorPix

Known throughout the world for the global celebrity he became throughout his career and after his retirement, it’s often forgotten that David Beckham featured 115 times for England and 523 times for his various clubs.

Perhaps the stylish midfielder’s greatest moment in a Three Lions jersey came against Greece at home ground Old Trafford where he struck a last-gasp free-kick to secure qualification for the 2002 World Cup. Although, like many of the golden generation, he failed to properly live up to his potential on the international stage.

7. Steven Gerrard

Copyright: MirrorPix

Speaking of seminal English midfielders who captained their national team, number seven is England’s fourth highest appearance holder (one behind Beckham), Steven Gerrard.

When he began his 14-year and six-major tournaments Three Lions career in 2000, Gerrard was following a long line of great Liverpool and England players and became the best of them all. However, his generation will always be synonymous with failure and the 2005 UEFA Champions League-winning skipper always seemed to save his best form for his club.

6. Frank Lampard

Copyright: MirrorPix

One of the eternal debates of early 21st century English international football will always be about who was better, Gerrard or Frank Lampard and that discussion looks set to carry on into their respective management careers.

In this case, we’ve gone for the latter by placing him at number six on this list of the 15 greatest England internationals of all time. He may have marginally fewer caps than his Scouse counterpart but always seemed to shine that little bit brighter for club and country.

It seemed fitting when they both bowed out of international football at the 2014 World Cup.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

As quoted by the club’s official website, Manchester United star Anthony Martial has delivered an encouraging insight into his progress as a central striker.

What did he say?

The France international started the current campaign on fire, registering two goals and an assist in his opening three Premier League games. However, the forward suffered an injury that kept him out of action for the best part of two months, but has since made a goal-scoring return to the first-team.

And now, the 23-year-old has provided an insight into how he is continuing to develop as a starting striker for the club, and insisted his attitude and commitment to the craft is the key to success.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said: “Frankly, playing as striker, you’re not there to make blinding passes or massive runs. I’ve come to understand that to score, you have to be obsessed, to be fixated on just that, scoring goals. That’s how you enjoy yourself as a striker. That’s not a choice – that’s how it has to be.

“It’s all about scoring goals for me. That’s my number one aim. It has to be. These days I am very focused on my central striker role, getting my scoring stats up and helping the team that way. It’s important to keep learning new things, new elements that can widen your range of options and make you more efficient as a player when you’re out there on the pitch.”

Encouraging

Make no mistake about it, Martial’s insight into how he is looking to improve his skills as a striker is great news for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his side. The departure of Romelu Lukaku earlier in the summer – a man who scored 113 goals in the Premier League – robbed the Red Devils of a proven marksman.

And with no replacement being signed, the burden of scoring the bulk of the side’s goals has been firmly placed on the shoulders of Martial and Marcus Rashford. The former struck twice in successive games against Partizan Belgrade and Norwich in his come back from injury, and if he continues to hone his craft in the way he has revealed, then there is no reason why the Frenchman cannot be the long-term successor to Lukaku.

كشف بيب جوارديولا خطته لإيقاف نيمار وكيليان مبابي، في المباراة التي ستجمع بين مانشستر سيتي وباريس سان جيرمان غدًا الثلاثاء.

ويحل مانشستر سيتي ضيفًا على باريس سان جيرمان غدًا الأربعاء، في ذهاب دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

طالع أيضًا.. محرز: لا نفكر في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.. وجوارديولا يستحق الثناء

وقال جوارديولا في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “أعتقد دائمًا أن نوعية اللاعبين مثل مبابي ونيمار، لا توجد استراتيجيات دفاعية لإيقافهم، إنهم جيدون للغاية”.

وأضاف: “نيمار من اللاعبين الذين لا يمكنك أن تكلف لاعب واحد لرقابته، لكن الحل المثالي لإيقاف خطورته هو ومبابي، هي حرمانهما من الكرة”.

وأشار: “سنحاول منعهما من الحصول على الكرة، نتدرب جيدًا كفريق على هذه الخطط، نريد أن نلعب لعبنا ونستمر في السيطرة على الكرة وفرض أسلوبنا أمام باريس سان جيرمان”.

وشدد: “ضد هؤلاء اللاعبين، يمكنك تعديل بعض الأشياء، خاصة وأننا وصلنا إلى هنا بعد حرب طويلة في السنوات العديدة”.

وأوضح: “تعديل بعض الأشياء يعني أن كل هذا حسب سير المباراة، مثلما عدلنا ضد توتنهام، ونتكيف مع زاها ضد كريستال بالاس الأسبوع المقبل، هذا أمر طبيعي، نظرًا لظروف كل مباراة”.

وأكمل: “أفضل توازن أمام باريس سان جيرمان، هو أن تكون لديك الكرة طوال الوقت، إذا دافعت بعمق فإنهم يتمتعون بالجودة التي تتمثل في مبابي ودي ماريا ونيمار، كذلك فيراتي وباريديس، وفي الدفاع لديهم ماركينيوس، باريس يمتلك العديد من الأسلحة”.

واستشهد: “ليون هزمنا الموسم الماضي بسبب الهجوم المضاد، ارتكبنا خطأين أو ثلاثة، لكننا حاولنا فرض أسلوبنا، وأحيانًا لا يكون ذلك ممكنًا، لقد تعلمت من تجربتي في هذه المسابقة، أنه بقدر ما تكون قريبًا من الكرة، يجب عليك استغلالها”.

وواصل: “لقد واجهنا دورتموند مع هالاند، مهاجم لا يصدق، وكذلك ماركو ريوس، ولم يلعب جادون سانشو لكن لديهم مهارات عديدة في الفريق”.

واختتم: “الفريق يكون متوازنًا ليس لأننا ندافع أكثر أو أعمق، هذا ليس صحيحًا، لكن عندما نلعب بطريقتنا ونستحوذ على الكرة، وهذا ما سنحاول القيام به غدًا”.

Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders has confirmed that Caoimhín Kelleher will be given the nod to start against Arsenal on Wednesday, leaving some fans in shock.

His involvement means that Adrian will miss out, and given Alisson has taken his place for league games, the Spaniard will likely be feeling disappointed.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Some supporters disagree with the decision, and think that the keeper can consider himself very unlucky to be missing out.

His form explains why they feel that way, as he certainly wasn’t dropped due to poor performance. He conceded just six goals in eight league games, with 1.5 saves per match too, and therefore relying on a 20-year-old ahead of him is a risky call by Klopp.

It will be a brilliant opportunity for Kelleher to show what he can do against better opposition, but Adrian’s absence has baffled several supporters, with one insinuating that a player of his quality deserves better treatment.

Here are some of the reactions to the news that Kelleher will be handed a start.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

We may only be mid-way through October but it seems as if plans are already being put in motion for a busy January transfer window.

Leeds were extremely active during the summer market as they shipped on 31 players either on a temporary or permanent basis.

But the winter looks as though it’ll be another interesting period for Victor Orta, not least in the fact he may have to fight hard to keep Eddie Nketiah in west Yorkshire.

Talk of a potential recall has done the rounds in recent days with Bristol City monitoring the 20-year-old again.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

However, it’s a player one year his junior that is now at the centre of attention.

Chelsea’s Reece James has been linked with a move to Elland Road, one that could see him join the Whites on loan if he falls out of favour under Frank Lampard.

Whether the Blues boss would consider business with a side he clashed with over Spygate last season remains to be seen, but despite James’ superb qualities, Orta would be wasting his time by trying to land him.

It’s no secret how exceptional the 19-year-old was in the Championship last term, starring at right back and eventually in the middle of the pitch too.

He was a consistent figure, winning 2.1 tackles per game but also registering 1.6 crosses each outing on average.

A highly-rated prospect, he’s been compared to a Chelsea stalwart of the past as well. Journalist Joe Tweedie previously noted: “When you marry his physicality (James has a touch of the Michael Essien’s about him) with great technique, you have a serious prospect on your hands.”

A glowing report indeed, but do Leeds actually need him? Arguably not. It’s important to consider those in the pecking order at Elland Road and there is already huge competition at both right-back and in the middle of the pitch.

The defensive midfield role he played in at times for Wigan is occupied by Kalvin Phillips while Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are set to battle it out at full-back.

The latter has earned considerable plaudits from supporters this term and Ayling played 40 times in the Championship last term so it would be a challenge for James to dislodge the pair of them.

Why are Leeds fans the best in the country? Find out in the video below…

With just five loanees allowed in a single matchday squad, Orta would be better off considering a temporary deal for someone in a position they’re light in or lacking quality – not a right back.

Anyone for an added centre half or striker?

منح الألماني مارك أندريا تير شتيجن، حارس مرمى برشلونة، فرصة لمتابعيه لتوجيه أسئلة إليه عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “تويتر”.

ويتواجد تير شتيجن رفقة المنتخب الألماني، استعدادًا لمباريات تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم.

وأجاب تير شتيجن على أسئلة متابعيه، والتي جاءت على النحو التالي: 

أفضل لاعب لعبت معه في بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ؟

“ماركو رويس”.

بماذا كنت تفكر في هذه اللحظة؟

“نهائي كأس الملك في مدريد عام 2018 الرابع على التوالي، تلقى أندريس ترحيبًا لا يُصدق ومستحق من الجماهير، وبصرف النظر عن كرة القدم فهو واحد من أفضل الأشخاص الذين قابلتهم في حياتي”.

هل تود أن ترى بين (نجله) لاعب كرة قدم محترف؟

“أريد فقط أن يكون بين سعيدًا وبصحة جيدة ومهذبًا وشخصًا جيدًا وأن يتبع أحلامه”.

كيف تعاملت أنت وأسرتك مع فترة الوباء؟ 

“لقد تمكننا من قضاء المزيد من الوقت معًا أكثر مما كان متوقعًا في المنزل، نحن جميعًا سعداء، وهو المكان الذي نتواجد فيه معظم الوقت، ولد بن قبل الوباء مباشرة، وأفضل تجربة في حياتي هي أن أكون أبًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: برشلونة يفقد كوتينيو 4 أسابيع أخرى

قدوتك في مركز حراسة المرمى؟

“أوليفر كان، شغف كبير”.

هل تشاهد مبارياتك القديمة؟ 

“لا، بشكل عام، لا أشاهد كرة القدم كثيرًا على التلفزيون”.

هل سبق لك وأن تركت حراسة المرمى في التدريبات ولعبت في مركز آخر؟ أظن أنك ستبلي بلاءً حسنًا في مركز بوسكيتس؟

“حراسة المرمى، دائمًا”.

سجل بونو حارس إشبيلية هدف الفوز في اللحظة الأخيرة، هل فكرت يومًا في تسجيل الأهداف؟

“أنا سعيد من أجله!، سجل ديميتروفيتش في إيبار هذا الموسم أيضًا، وظيفتي هي الدفاع عن المرمى، ولكن إذا كان ذلك ضروريًا وسأحتاج إلى ذلك، فسيكون من الجيد أن أسجل”.

أنديتك المفضلة حين كنت طفلاً؟ 

“نادٍ واحد فقط وهو بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ”.

[ad_pod ]

The go-to curio about Erling Braut Haaland is that he is the son of former Leeds and Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland. Give it a couple of years however and the retired pro will be legitimately and entirely understandably boasting to all and sundry that he is the father of Erling.

Despite long being touted as a talent of real promise, the Red Bull Salzburg striker has rocketed into world football’s consciousness these past couple of weeks due to a scoring spree that amazes. Eleven goals in his first eight games in the Austrian Bundesliga – 17 in 10 across all competitions – equates to hitting the ground running and then some and is a tally that includes three headline-making hat-tricks. If that were not impressive enough, last week the teenage prodigy scored yet another treble in his Champions League debut as Salzburg thrashed Genk 6-2.

This staggering show of intent follows a highly successful spell in Norway where the domineering attacker scored 12 goals in 25 appearances during his introductory season with Molde. It was an opening declaration of his prolificacy that had then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compare him to Romelu Lukaku and inevitably it also led to interest forming from bigger clubs, namely and aptly – given his manager’s later switch – Manchester United.

It was to Salzburg he went, though, largely due to the club’s fine record in giving a stage to then selling on their youth, with Sadio Mane serving as a prime example.

Haaland’s feats of late have grabbed everybody’s attention but that is simply a continuation of the ripples he made in the summer when the Leeds-born hit man fired a jaw-dropping nine goals in a single game for the Norwegian under 20s in a merciless rout of Honduras.

That is what is most note-worthy about Erling Braut Haaland: his achievements are so stunning that his entire media presence seems to be based on the unbelievability of his goal scoring prowess.

In the summer, ESPN sources claimed that the Red Devils were scouting the teenage hitman but he eventually moved to Austria to ply his trade at a club that, as Mane’s example underlines, can be considered a stepping stone into one of Europe’s top four leagues.

Naturally, his latest salvos have induced a fresh round of transfer speculation and once again Manchester United are reportedly at the fore with this time Barcelona joining them for company.

While speaking to TV2 (via Daily Mirror), Haaland lauded Solskjaer and spoke of his admiration for the English game and those quotes are bound to fuel speculation regarding his potential to springboard into Europe’s elite.

Until recently it seemed somewhat far-fetched to surmise that Old Trafford could be a possible destination what with his father’s sour history with the club following Roy Keane’s infamous challenge and the fact that Haaland Jr is an avowed Leeds United supporter. Yet a statement this week from dad – who remains an influential presence over his off-spring – describing the interest as ‘nice’ suggests a door could now be open.

Furthermore, it is a move that makes a lot of sense with United actively seeking a replacement for the departed Lukaku because who better than the player their present manager believes is a younger equivalent?

Wherever he goes however the future looks extremely bright indeed for a teenage phenomenon who seemingly cannot stop scoring and scoring at a rate that astounds. He is a talent who has already been called “a beast” and even labelled “the manchild” at Molde at an age where most players just get called their surname but with a ‘Y’ on the end.

Occasionally – very occasionally – a footballer comes along who rips up conventional standards.

His name is Erling Braut Haaland.